The Internet offers a tremendous opportunity to build a
business on a small budget. I started mine on a shoestring, nay, a half of a
shoestring, and to this day haven't spent a penny on advertising - but my
business is doing quite well thank you.
However, there are areas where it doesn't pay to scrimp.
Not having antivirus software and taking other precautionary measures can stop
your business and computing life dead in it tracks. Your computer could be
rendered useless, your data could be destroyed, or sensitive information about
you or your customers could be sent to strangers if you have a virus or backdoor
program make it's way into your computer system.
Recent polls have shown that up to 51% of Internet users
don't have antivirus protection. One poll revealed that 33% of the respondents
didn't have antivirus software, and of the 67% that did, 27% of them hadn't
updated it in over three months. That adds up to 60% that have inadequate or no
protection, so it stands to reason many of you reading this are in that group.
This is a recipe for disaster.
Here are the seven steps you should take immediately to
give your business and/or computing life a chance to proceed unimpeded by
computer viruses and hackers.
1. Get a good antivirus software program. There are
several good ones on the market you can find by searching. Here are just a few
of the more popular ones:
Inoculate It: http://antivirus.cai.com
Norton Antivirus: http://www.symantec.com
F-Secure: http://www.f-secure.com
For a larger list, see:
http://www.hitchhikers.net/html/sgp8.shtml
My personal preference is Norton Antivirus. [Note: This
site usually has a bargain on Norton Antivirus. It's an older version but
the program updates itself online.]
2. Update your anti-virus definitions regularly. New
viruses appear every day, not all are effective and become widespread, but don't
take chances on out-of-date definitions. I update mine weekly. Most antivirus
software vendors will give you free updates for a time, then charge a small, but
well worth it, yearly subscription fee.
3. If you're installing anti-virus software for the first
time, let it scan your entire system to be sure you're off to a clean start. You
could have a hidden virus you don't yet know about. Run an entire system scan
once a week. Most programs can be set to do this for you automatically.
4. Be suspicious of any and all unsolicited e-mail
attachments, even if they're from trusted friends or family. Many viruses are
spread by sending copies of themselves from infected machines to everyone in the
owners address book. The messages can be very deceptive in their effort to trick
you into opening the infected attachment. Once opened, your system is infected.
5. Stay informed about viruses. There are several good
resources to keep you on top of the situation. I recommend picking out a
favorite site or two and visit them once a week. You can search and find many,
but here are a few of my favorites:
http://www.datafellows.com/news/vir-news/
http://www.europe.f-secure.com/virus-info/virus-news/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACVirusDatabase.html
6. Being on top of viruses is obviously good practice, but
staying on top of virus hoaxes is also good. You don't look very professional if
you send out false alarms. Some of my favorite hoax sites:
http://vmyths.com/
http://www.snopes.com
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
http://www.stiller.com/hoaxes.htm
7. Backdoor programs are small software programs that are
usually installed without your knowledge. Most good antivirus programs will
detect backdoor programs such as Back Orifice. But there is one more step you
can take. Installing a personal fire wall serves as an additional layer of
protection.
A firewall is a barrier between your computer and the
Internet. It intercepts incoming and outgoing data transmissions on your behalf.
Once set up, you won't usual notice it's working, unless there's an alarm.
Firewalls can be software or hardware. The software
versions are more affordable, although some people feel the protection isn't
quite as good as a hardware firewall. I think a software firewall will suit most
people fine. Here are a few software firewall programs.
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/
Black Ice Defender: http://www.networkice.com/index.html
Tiny Personal Firewall: http://www.tinysoftware.com/pwall.php
ConCeal Personal Firewall: http://www.candc1.com/conseal/
8. Wait, the title says Seven Steps to Protection, so why
is there a number eight? Bonus! I'm not affiliated with nor do I receive any
recompense from any of the above listed companies or web sites.
My eighth suggestion I do have an interest in, so I didn't
count it in the original steps. You can subscribe to my own Virus and Hoax Alert
and receive emails when I learn of new viruses or hoaxes that are spreading
rapidly. I don't cover everything, many would be a waste of your time, but I try
to nail down the ones most likely to find you or that have a high damage
payload. Subscribe by sending an email to:
VirusHoaxAlert-subscribe@topica.com
By following the above steps you stand a much greater
chance of success in preventing your computer from invasion by viruses or
hackers.
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